Brian Lyman
@brianlyman
Editor, Alabama Reflector. Podcaster, Becoming Lincoln. 2024 Pulitzer finalist. Past: MGM Advertiser; Press-Register; The Anniston Star; Norwich Bulletin; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Politics, history, science, horrific puns.
A tale of two narratives, where imagined recreations of the world of Akhenaten and Nefertiti alternate with discussions of archeological evidence. I could have done without the former (many are written in an overly-expository style) but the nonfiction parts of the book are solid and interesting.
And a video version of the column as we try to meet the audience wherever it may be. (This one brought out the reply guys.)
And a video version for those who may enjoy that. Finally got a tripod and a microphone.
Good lord, how deeply insecure/ignorant/smug do you have to be to object to this accurate statement? You seriously think the American project will collapse if Americans see its flaws? www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/a...
Tremendously fun book. Survivors of Earth in a jury-rigged generation ship discover ancient terraformed planet with an ancient guardian ordering them out. Also a spider race evolves to space travel; planetwide battles and some great ideas throughout.
Three favorite books that help us understand what “the United States of America” means.
Today is the 125th anniversary of the lynching of Robin White outside Wetumpka. The murder — halfway between 1776 and the present — led to an unprecedented attempt at justice, and all-too-predictable outcome. Here’s a short video on Robin White and how far we remain from American ideals.
Woof, this photo by Alex Kent of The New York Times contains multitudes. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/u...
For those interested, I’ve started posting video versions of these columns on Facebook and TikTok (and, uh, BlueSky). Trying to reach all the different audiences in our gloriously atomized media landscape.
Never read Le Carre before so I thought I’d give it a go. The novel is as good as its reputation; I was kind of surprised at how much of it is George Smiley and friends reading files and talking to people after the fact.
Really interesting book using the records of the Emigrant Savings Bank and genealogical records to trace the social mobility of several members of the first wave of Irish immigrants and their descendants. Made me rethink my impressions of the Famine immigrants and their economic conditions.
Take this as a FWIW, but Republican Jay Mitchell, a candidate for Alabama attorney general, and Republican Wes Allen, a candidate for Alabama lt. governor, both leaned hard into anti-Muslim rhetoric during the primary. Both lost last night.
The Associated Press has called the Republican nomination for Alabama attorney general for Deputy Attorney General Katherine Robertson. As of 8:41 p.m., Robertson had 59,247 (57%) votes in unofficial returns. Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell had 44,575 (43%). More to come.
We’ve got @alabamareflector.com folks writing the stories and I’ll be here watching and sharing thoughts as the returns come in, in my favorite campaign T-shirt.
BTW, “Dock Ellis In The Country Of Baseball” should be better known. It’s one of the best books I’ve read about the sport and is eye-opening about the struggles Black players faced in the 1960s and 70s.
Alabama meteorologist James Spann says his Facebook page has been restricted. For those living outside Alabama, Spann is the guy the state gravitates toward whenever there are tornado threats.
I know The Magicians draws comparisons to Harry Potter, but it felt a lot like Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, with its late teens/early 20-somethings dealing with power and its abuse. Also credit for its characterizations and willingness to make the protagonist unlikable.